Rangers ask for public's help after Blue Ridge Parkway sees spike in graffiti

by Marissa Parra & Ashley Ann

Graffiti on Blue Ridge Parkway sign (WSET).

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) -- The Blue Ridge Parkway known for its beauty is seeing some very ugly defacing.

Nestled in the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains is a very ugly trend.

Spray paint vandalism is hardly new.

Jon Holter with the National Park Service says they get about a dozen cases of graffiti on the parkway a year. "Over the last couple weeks we've had half a dozen signs that have been graffitied," said National Park Ranger Supervisor, Jon Holter.

But this is different, they've gotten just as many cases in the last two weeks which is a pain for them to clean. "It just takes a lot of elbow grease," said Holter.

And that cleaning process is a drag on your wallet.

"The current ones that we're dealing with are in very prominent areas park signs, on overlooks... and they're not inexpensive signs," explained Holter.

Since this is National Park Service property, the cost to repair the signs and rocks is coming from you -- the taxpayers. "These signs can be anywhere between $2,000 to $3,000 apiece." said Holter.

It's also just an eyesore. "it wrecks it for the people coming here to enjoy the view," said Holter.

So, to keep our parkway beautiful, the rangers need your help. "The chances of me being able to land on someone jumping out with a can of spray paint is pretty minimal," explained Holter.

They don't know who's behind the tagging, but the rangers hope they'll see this message and leave their mark elsewhere.

If you see something or you know something, the National Park Service wants to hear from you.

Those caught tagging with spray paint could face 6 months in jail or a $5,000 fine.